so it was a joint resolution and texas got into the united states by two votes, when a senator, i understand, from louisiana, changed his vote and voted for the admission of texas. those of us from texas, because of our history, because of the people who are there, of all races, have a unique spirit in my opinion. it is the spirit of freedom. but that's a spirit of america. our history's not really based upon what happened in the 13 colonies. our history's based independent of that. but it's the same. it's a spirit of liberty and freedom from oppression. whether it's king george iii or whether it's a dictator named santa ana. on april 21 we celebrate that day. on saturday, tomorrow, there will be a reenactment of the battle. we have a monument called on the marshes there. lks versimilar to the wainon monument. except of course it's taller than the washington monument. the star on top of the monument makes it taller than the washington monument. and as a side note, the texas state capitol is taller than his capitol right here, to some 15 feet. but the point is, mr. speaker, that history is im